Three Stories of Irvin Magno vs. Ali Wyatt
By Mark F. Villanueva
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Mar 2017
Unlike in most boxing matches, the fight between Irvin Magno and Ali Wyatt had one more major story to tell other than their own.
Running on nervous energy, Wyatt's story immediately took a circuitous route by moving away from its subject. He wanted to address his goals on the safer side, and in doing so appeared drab and jerky, like a bumbler leading into an unpopular path.
Ali Wyatt must have seen one of Irvin Magno's training footages, where he personally told me he buckled sparring partners with his jab. Wyatt may have planned on tiring Magno by relegating to him the responsibility of carrying the weight of the fight, which turned out to be the main story of the evening at the Devonshire Dome.
Irvin Magno cut the ring and jabbed Wyatt to pin him against the corner. He chose his punches wisely and didn't waste his energy. Unlike in his previous fights, his shots had many variations now. He managed his energy well by trimming down on unnecessary movements and keeping better balance.
Irvin's story was all the crowd practically cared for. Whenever he threw a rococo of combinations the crowd roared along with it, chanting his name aloud as if in a rolling thunder. Wyatt had wanted to exhaust Irvin Magno by inveigling him in a chase around, hoping to lay a trap along the way to set up a dramatic twist.
Irvin Magno was hell-bent on pursuing his opponent to no end. Behind all that fused energy, a third story started to emerge as if in a nebula. It's the story of Ian Magno, Irvin's father, who passed away two years ago, spurring the lad to pursue a career as a prizefighter.
All the while, Irvin's family thought Ian was suffering from acute heart problems, when he actually battled amyloidosis and myeloma. It just happened fast. "He had a lot of pain over Christmas, then by January he had really bad stomach cramps. By February he got misdiagnosed with acute heart failure and by March they finally found out what it really was. By then he had 3-6 months," Irvin said.
Irvin Magno's first three pro bouts were badly misdiagnosed, too. He thought he had a solid game plan coming in until he learned he wasn't fighting against the man he was beating up. Knowing what fuels him to be the fighter he is today, I know Irvin's story will continue to flourish. It was in Ian's death that he made a commitment to really live. Just as you see him in the ring, he's always about bringing it.
Irvin Magno dropped his hands again and got countered with a hook right after throwing a curlicue to the body. Ali Wyatt guessed his next move and tagged him with an overhand right that landed on his left temple. He has a tendency to drop his hands going in, but it further confirmed something I already knew- that he can take in as much punishment as he can give.
He socked his opponent hard on both flanks, hacking it so much so that if his story were a fairytale, I'd say, go on, Jack! You're choppin' that massive beanstalk real nicely!
Irvin Magno won his fight in the third round by TKO. The opposite camp's corner threw in the towel and the referee quickly stopped the bout. Ali Wyatt dropped his head in defeat, while Irvin's hands were raised up in the air, pointing toward Ian in the heavens.
Mark F. Villanueva
Twitter: @MarkFVillanueva
Boxingprose.wordpress.com
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